1960 Map of Anderson Mesa

About this map

The Dolores River carves a dramatic, winding path through the high desert landscape of Anderson Mesa and Skein Mesa in this mid-century topographic record. The geography is defined by isolated plateaus like Wray Mesa and Buck Mesa, separated by deep drainage systems such as Coyote Wash and Spring Canyon. For historians and mineral researchers, the map reveals a concentrated cluster of uranium and vanadium era mining activity on the slopes of the mesas. Named operations like the Morning Star Mine, The Raven Mine, and the American Eagle Mine sit near geological landmarks like The Hat. The map also documents essential water infrastructure for this arid environment, including Muleshoe Bend Reservoir and several vital springs such as Cabin Spring and East Island Mesa Spring which supported ranching or early industrial activity.